1. Rangers: Difficult to imagine this organization that now operates as an efficient model for the NHL is the same one that lavished those accelerated compliance buyout contracts to Scott Gomez and Wade Redden. But that was a long time ago in a galaxy far away from the one in which the Rangers have painstakingly built their way to excellence.
2. Penguins: The specter of a full season with both a healthy Sidney Crosby and a dominant Evgeni Malkin is enough to frighten any opponent, but the video of Marc-Andre Fleury in the playoffs against Philadelphia is enough to frighten the Penguins.
3. Bruins: No Stanley Cup hangover entering this season, a presumed healthy Nathan Horton, precocious Dougie Hamilton on the blue line and the stability of knowing that the T-Party in net this year will be thrown by Tuukka Rask.
4. Blues: Difficult to find a coach in whom to place greater trust to oversee a twice-in-a-lifetime 48-game season than Ken Hitchcock. Undone by injury and illness in net for playoffs, Blues play as hard every night as any team in the league, with size, snarl and talent to back it up.
5. Canucks: One last ride for this group that will be faced with a horrific cap squeeze next summer, with the truncated schedule an aid in minimizing the “who’s the No. 1 goaltender?” controversy sure to arise with Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider both on the roster.
6. Kings: As long as Jonathan Quick is healthy, Kings should represent well in their title defense, aided by the long offseason.
7. Senators: Young legs, full hearts, tough in the corners and on the boards, plus the final countdown for Daniel Alfredsson.
8. Flyers: Shea Weber, Zach Parise and Ryan Suter were three who got away, but Ilya Bryzgalov is still in the Flyers’ net.
9. Predators: Front office matched Weber’s last of the front-loads regardless of how illogical after hanging club’s barely soiled linens out to dry for all to see in playoff disappointment.
10. Hurricanes: GM Jim Rutherford, always careful with his owner Pete Karmanos’ pennies, somehow threw $7 million worth of them at Alex Semin. If the winger proves worthy of even half that much playing for rising star behind the bench Kirk Muller, the ’Canes will be golden.
11. Red Wings: Islanders were never the same once Denis Potvin retired, Devils have never been quite the same since Scott Stevens retired and this is the reality of an aging Red Wings team facing life after Nicklas Lidstrom.
12. Blackhawks: It is an alternate universe in which 2012 summer signings of free agent defensemen Michal Rozsival and Johnny Oduya are hailed as stepping stones to a return to playoff success.
13. Sharks: One of those historically very good teams with very impressive runs, just not quite good enough to pull it off; e.g., the Emile Francis Rangers, the French Connection Sabres, the Rod Langway Caps.
14. Sabres: Personnel more impressive than the culture that’s come to include a fair share of whininess.
15. Devils: If there’s any franchise accustomed to filling vacancies created by free agency, it’s this one, though Adam Henrique’s injury doesn’t help the mission.
16. Wild: Investment in Parise and Suter will brighten spotlight on Mike Yeo’s work behind bench.
17. Coyotes: Still, after all this time, the answer remains, no one OWNS the Coyotes.
18. Capitals: Will be interesting to learn whether freshman head coach Adam Oates understands that less equals less from Alex Ovechkin.
19. Oilers: Look — Justin Schultz just scored another goal.
20. Lightning: Goaltending issue — is Anders Lindback the man for the job? — will likely become secondary to the compliance buyout of $30 million awaiting Vincent Lecavalier.
21. Avalanche: This is the franchise most damaged by imposition of a hard cap on the NHL, a jewel that’s been tarnished.
22. Panthers: Jonathan Huberdeau could be a Calder candidate, but the goaltending and defense are going to have to prove they can do it again.
23. Canadiens: The numbers may be skewed but it never is a good idea for an incoming general manager, in this case Marc Bergevin, to have his operation defined by a contract stalemate with a young, popular presence, in this case PK Subban.
24. Stars: Jaromir Jagr is the early pick for most interesting player with an affordable contract available at the trade deadline.
25. Jets: GM Kevin Cheveldayoff to Evander Kane: “Call me.”
26. Ducks: Alternate Universe, Part II — Somehow the Ducks decided to make free agent Sheldon Souray the highest paid defenseman on the roster that may or may not include pending free agents Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry after the deadline.
27. Flames: The debate over whether Jarome Iginla will become a deadline rental is far more interesting than the mediocrity into which this franchise has settled.
28. Maple Leafs: It is always a good thing when an organization’s identity is defined by the playing personnel and not by a suit.
29. Islanders: The waiver wire called, it wants its players back.
30. Blue Jackets: The arduous rebuild begins under John Davidson, whose inherited staff and team remains in place for the short run that will be a long one for this group.